Admiral Beez
Superstar
As I posted on the thread about US military deserters, I can see both Obama and Harper liking each other almost immediately. We must remember that Democrats in the USA are very much like Conservatives in Canada. There is no equivalent to the Liberals or NDP in the USA, as they'd never win. Let's look at their similiarities between Harper and Obama:
1) Both young leaders:
Stephen Joseph Harper PC MP (born April 30, 1959)
Barack Hussein Obama born August 4, 1961)
2) Both well educated (Obama more so, but Harper's MA in econo is not bad, too many politicos are lawyers IMO)
3) Both are actively religious, while remaining neutral or non-committal on abortion. Both said marriage should be between a man and woman, but both have put the issue to bed.
Harper, Christian and Missionary Alliance
Obama, United Church of Christ (UCC)
4) Both have strong activist and aggressive foreign policy positions
Harper, supports Afghan mission extension, publicly supports Israel over Arabs
Obama, watch out Iran and foes of Israel, Obama's speeches to date show this guy's got to prove his mettle
5) Both prefer pragmatic environment policy
Harper, pulled Canada out of Kyoto, refused to sign on to latest talks unless big polluters signed up first
Obama, will not commit to signing onto Kyoto unless big pollutors China, India sign up first, but has spoken of seeking alternative sources of energy
Now, of course Obama is better than Harper in many ways, but my point is that these two guys will likely get along very nicely. If they do, it will be hard for the Canadian Left to accuse Harper of now toadying up to the Democrats. If you read the news in Canada the Left is already becoming worried that Obama isn't an American Jack Layton, and instead is looking at slowing down troop withdrawal from Iraq, challenging Iran and giving strong security guarantees to Israel, while supporting immigration reform to block illegals, and worst of all, he's playing up his religion!!!!! WTF the Left is asking, where is the socialist Obama of our dreams? If this keeps up we'll have the friendliest President/PM relationship since the two Irishmen, Reagan and Mulroney.
1) Both young leaders:
Stephen Joseph Harper PC MP (born April 30, 1959)
Barack Hussein Obama born August 4, 1961)
2) Both well educated (Obama more so, but Harper's MA in econo is not bad, too many politicos are lawyers IMO)
3) Both are actively religious, while remaining neutral or non-committal on abortion. Both said marriage should be between a man and woman, but both have put the issue to bed.
Harper, Christian and Missionary Alliance
Obama, United Church of Christ (UCC)
4) Both have strong activist and aggressive foreign policy positions
Harper, supports Afghan mission extension, publicly supports Israel over Arabs
Obama, watch out Iran and foes of Israel, Obama's speeches to date show this guy's got to prove his mettle
5) Both prefer pragmatic environment policy
Harper, pulled Canada out of Kyoto, refused to sign on to latest talks unless big polluters signed up first
Obama, will not commit to signing onto Kyoto unless big pollutors China, India sign up first, but has spoken of seeking alternative sources of energy
Now, of course Obama is better than Harper in many ways, but my point is that these two guys will likely get along very nicely. If they do, it will be hard for the Canadian Left to accuse Harper of now toadying up to the Democrats. If you read the news in Canada the Left is already becoming worried that Obama isn't an American Jack Layton, and instead is looking at slowing down troop withdrawal from Iraq, challenging Iran and giving strong security guarantees to Israel, while supporting immigration reform to block illegals, and worst of all, he's playing up his religion!!!!! WTF the Left is asking, where is the socialist Obama of our dreams? If this keeps up we'll have the friendliest President/PM relationship since the two Irishmen, Reagan and Mulroney.